Americas Crossing the pond: European property markets are attracting U.S. investors Only a few years ago, Europe was a no-go zone for U.S. investors. The sovereign debt crisis, talk of a euro zone break-up, and a persistent recession with accompanying predictions of Japanese-style stagflation were enough to scare off the most intrepid investor. But times have changed.
Americas Getting on board: LPs and GPs come together in Southern California for the money talks At the spring meeting of Institutional Real Estate Americas’ editorial board, April 12–14 in Ojai, Calif., discussions highlighted the concerns and desires of our readership. The editorial board meets twice a year to discuss the issues members are losing sleep over.
Americas What next? U.K. investment can continue, regardless of Brexit June 23 is a date looming large in the diaries of U.K. voters. For only the second time since the 1970s, they will have the chance to vote on the United Kingdom’s position in the European Union. With a potentially large negative impact in the short to medium term, the potential for Brexit is weighing on business activity.
Americas Shop talk: A conversation with Paul Mouchakkaa The investment committee of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System has approved the pension plan’s 2016 Real Assets Strategic Plan. Paul Mouchakkaa, managing investment director with CalPERS, recently spoke with Institutional Real Estate Americas about the new strategic plan.
Americas Flattening out: Institutional real estate performance moderation continues in 2016 The downward trend in quarterly NCREIF Property Index total returns continued in first quarter 2016. With $490.8 billion of market value, the quarterly NPI total return was 2.21 percent, consisting of a 1.17 percent income return and 1.04 percent appreciation.
Americas Transparency: Standard software could enhance industry clarity Most investors prize transparency in their relationships. It’s now possible, through systems developed by software vendors, to streamline the business processes involved in acquiring, financing, managing and disposing of real property holdings.
Americas A ruling on affordable housing: Investors, developers and property owners lose another property rights fight The U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for a new form of exaction from property owners and real estate developers by refusing to hear an appeal of a decision by the California Supreme Court that upheld San Jose’s inclusionary zoning ordinance.
Americas Big deals in the Dallas office market Dallas had the third most active property sales market in 2015, according to RCA’s “Top 40 Markets of 2015,” with a total of more than $19.5 billion in sales volume, a 25 percent year-over-year change.
Americas Global real estate volumes fall in first quarter Global real estate transaction volumes fell in first quarter 2016 on weaker market sentiment, according to JLL’s preliminary data on global capital flows. Some regions did experience growth, however, with expectations for 2016 activity to stay broadly in line with 2015.
Americas REIT merger shows Houston goes its own way With the collapse in oil prices over the past year, Houston is continuing its divergence from the broader U.S. property market, and a recently announced REIT merger is making that split plain.
Americas University of California increases real estate allocation Some investors are increasing their allocations to real estate. The Regents of the University of California have increased the target allocation to real estate for the university system’s $3.2 billion Retirement Plan and $516 million General Endowment Pool.
Americas Risks arise from tech markets' increase in sublease space Sublease space in tech-oriented real estate markets is increasing, and oversupply of sublease space has preceded market downturns in the past.
Americas New funds launch in Q1 A total of 47 new investment funds were launched during first quarter 2016, the highest number of funds launched since first quarter 2014, which saw 48 new funds. As a group, they are seeking to raise approximately $56 billion.
